THE SEVERITY OF PHANTOM PAIN AS AN INDICATOR OF SATISFACTION WITH QUALITY OF LIFE AND BODY IMAGE IN PEOPLEWITH LIMBAMPUTATIONS

The phenomenon of phantom pain is an almost inseparable aspect of life for an individual with limb amputation. A severity of phantom pain largely determines both emotional and behavioral reactions of an individual, as well as the feeling of comfort and well-being. Negative changes of indicators associated with increased pain lead to worsening of self-stigmatization, affect situational body satisfaction and assessment of the quality of life and disrupt a rehabilitation process. The aim of the study is to explore the specificity of manifestation of phantom pain as a measure of (dis)satisfaction with the quality of life andthe body image quality of life in people with limbamputation. The method of survey (questions concerning asocio-demographic situation, a level of amputation, a severity of phantom pain) and the method of standardized self-report (SF-36 "Short Form Health Survey"by J.E. Ware; "Situational inventory of body image dysphoria" by T.F. Cash) were used in the study. A severity of phantom pain was assessed with a visual analogue scale. The identification of intergroup differences was carried out utilizing the nonparametric Kruskal-WallisH-test, in accordance with the severity of phantom pain (mild, moderate, or severe phantom limb pain), indicators of body image satisfaction and assessment of the quality of life. The study revealed that mild phantom painis associated with the positive estimation of the quality of life and acceptance of a real body image. The strong phantom pain corresponds to dissatisfaction with a body image and low evaluation of the quality life. The obtained results allow drawing the attention of experts to such an important aspect of rehabilitation of patients with limbamputations as phantom pain and its expression. Due to the lack of knowledge about the considered phenomena, this research area is promising for further development.